Zoot Sports

I found a photo on my Buddy Dave Jewell’s facebook page of what I believe is a SS2010 lightweight/race trainer by Zoot. I’m not really sure what the name of this Zoot Beauty is or if they really are from the SS2010 season. As a tidbit of information when you’re head of product sometimes you get to preview stuff that is never even made. But these shoes look sweet. Here is my interpretation of the Zoot Bumble bee shoes that I found.

Like I mentioned earlier I’m guessing that these shoes are from there 2010 footwear collection. They have a simplistic minimal upper which is almost like a slipper. The shoes only seem to have one overlay right at the toe box of the shoe. I’m sure they feel pretty amazing walking around barefoot in the shoes. Zoot actually refers to the technology as Barefit (Bare-Fit - constructed for sockless wear, the lnings are a Dri-Lex fabric with anti-microbial Smart Silver to battle moisture, odor and to reduce hot spots; Tri-Dry technology limits water retention in the shoe; Patented Quick-Lace system for speed of entry with a single-handed pull; CarbonSpan+ provides smooth and powerful toe-off; Asymmetrical perforated neoprene panel ensures excellent fit and quick entry while maintaining breathability). Info courtesy: www.zootsports.com

The mid sole seem to be single density foam with some minor flex grooves in the outsole. All the flex grooves seem to be in the right place for a quick heel to toe transition. The outsole has a carbon rubber outsole in all the right places. With some with blown rubber to keep these shoes light and fast. The flex grooves look like they are going to allow the foot to flex and move with the upper. This Zoot beauty seems to be made for race day for that mid foot striker. Dave thank you for allowing me to share the photo and if you would like to make any comments we would love to hear from you. Also, congratulations on your new roll at Zoot and welcome back to sunny San Diego! http://www.zootsports.com/

Air Jordan Fridays! Air Jordan III

Air Jordan III

1987-1988 was an outstanding year for Michael Jordan performance wise. Mj won the Slam Dunk contest, All Star MVP, All-Defensive First Team and Defensive Player of the Year. Through all this success, he was wearing the Air Jordan 3.


Peter Moore (which designed the Air Jordan I and helped on the II) was let go from Nike, as well as Bruce Kilgore. When they had left, Peter and Bruce were trying to convince Michael to leave Nike with them, good thing MJ said no. Now Nike needed a new designer to make the Air Jordan III. So they went to world famous Tinker Hatfield. His name is known mainly for designing Air Jordan III-XV, and also making a return on the AJ XXs, but Tinker also designed some really nice Nike’s as well. Tinker and Michael worked hard, talked to each other on what were good ideas, and what could “work”. Michael wanted a lightweight shoe, with a lot of durability. So with the Air Jordan 3 they both decided to make them a Mid top, the first mid top to be seen in the Air Jordan line. On the AJ III model Tinker placed the famous jumpman logo on the back of the shoe, and adding in a “elephant print” on the toe box. Also the IIIs were the first AJ to have a visible air-sole unit.

The inspirations for the AJ III are AJ I and II, the free throw dunk, an elephant, and last, but not least Michael Jordan. Nike’s selling strategy was simple, and great, they had MJ and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). After watching these funny commercials you had to go out and buy yourself a pair.

In 1987-1988 when the Air Jordan 3s just released they sold for $100.00. In 1994 when Nike re-released the AJ III they retailed at 105.00, but just like the AJ I and II models, they hit sales racks. In 2001 and 2003 when the Air Jordan III released one more time, the price tag was $100.00.

Michael Jordan and Spike Lee

Info courtesy of: Sneaker Files.

EB Lydiard Marathon Running Shoes 1970 9.2 oz

The below photo was taken by my Blackberry and these shoes were spotted on the wall of Encinitas Movin Shoes. Karl Brandt and the older boys have a pretty cool collections of sneaks from their running days.

During a tour of Germany in the late 1960s, famed New Zealand runner and coach Arthur Lydiard met with craftsmen from the EB company who shared his vision of making a running shoe that wouldn't pinch and blacken a runner's toenails and would relieve stress on the Achilles tendon. Lydiard knew it was possible, as he was running 100-plus-mile weeks in shoes with an ample toe box while many of his compatriots had toes that were a greedy podiatrist's dream. The soft, one-piece kangaroo leather upper of the Marathon had plenty of wiggle room for the toes, and a built-in heel cup held the rear of the foot firmly in place. The shoes launched in 1970, and became available in the U. S. in 1974. They never caught on in a big way, partly because of the $32 price tag, more than twice the cost of other running shoes of the time. Lydiard also developed a 4-ounce racer in 1974 and in 1984 helped Converse develop a couple of very nice shoes.

Photo complitments of Joe Rubio of  http://www.runningwarehouse.com/

Seriously the order form to order the EB Lydiard shoes in the back of the May 1977 Runners World Magazine.  Fill out the information and send off and hope in a few months you get what you ordered.  Crazy!  That was the early days, now we do it all by internet, how did we live without it?

JLew

Nike Big Nike High Premium - ATL

Nike's tribute to the ATL.

Jermaine Dupree once said.

Welcome to Atlanta where the players play
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsters roamin
And parties dont stop 'til eight in the mo'nin

As the second of a two-city pack of Nike Big Nikes, including the LBC edition, the Nike Big Nike has released to rep the ATL. The Nike Big Nike High Premium Atlanta features a clean black/white/red color way, perhaps to go along with the Atlanta Hawks colors. The shoe features a black leather upper with a cracked side panel design to subtly add some style to the shoe. It sits atop a white mid sole and red out sole to match the laces and tongue tag. The tongue tag sports a Nike logo fitted with a crown, and of course, the back heel panel rocks “ATL” in large gold print, with the A wearing another crown. Be sure to get your own pair to rep Atlanta as well as show some love for the LBC.

Air Jordan Fridays, AJII

The Air Jordan 2 (II) Low 1995 - White - Red - Black retailed foe $105, and were very popular upon release. They were designed by Brue Kilgore, and the technical specs included Nike’s patented air sole unit, as well as faux lizard skin uppers. The sleek lines and overall look give these low tops a very futuristic look. They came in a very colorful box which featured special tissue paper and a post Card.? They feature mostly white leather upper with red and black accents, as well as a black midsole which definitely contrasts the white upper, thus making the shoe an attention grabber.

The Air Jordan 2 high tops and low tops were very stylish, making them as popular as the AJ I (according to sales). All Original Air Jordan IIs were made in Italy. Rumor is after the Original Air Jordan 2 model the mold was either destroyed or was stolen. (Fritz being the Nike man that you are can you divulge if this rumor is true?) So when the Air Jordan II re-released in 1994-95, Nike had to dissect the Original pair, and when Jordan Brand re-released the AJ 2 once again in 2004, they had to dissect a pair of the 1994-95 retros. Nike did not produce a black color way of the AJ II, even though sketches and prototypes were put together. One of the most sought out pair of shoes is the Air Jordan II K.O. Very little are in existence, and also very few pictures are floating around.

Air Jordan II's Low

Air Jordan II's High

 

 Air Jordan II's High Open Box

 

Air Jordan II's Box

 

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000 series were originally released in 1989 all with different purposes.  The 6000 was introduced to provide guidance for a light weight runner for middle distance training.

The adidas 8000 was also released in 1989 had top level cushioning in a light weight running model which also included the torsion system.

The adidas 9000 released in 1989 was a running shoe that provided great support.

The ZX collection initially began in the hundred series in 84 and the would extend to the thousands after the 1988 Olympics.  This period also brought on a number of breakthrough devices for adidas such as the the torsion.

JLew

Nike DayBreak

The Nike Daybreak is an early running shoe that first released in 1979. It is a low-profile, low-top sneaker with a very simple look and attitude. The upper is made with suede and nylon for a lightweight advantage. Technologically, the Nike Daybreak was ahead of its time. It featured a thick, flared EVA midsole and a cup innersole. A padded collar adds extra comfort to the runners foot.

Check out the following website. Pretty cool. http://www.nikevintage.com/.

Asics Spartan B

This is a tribute to Dan. He mentioned to me yesterday that he used to race in this shoe. It is the Asics Spartan B and it was pretty much a basic spike. But obviously by the looks of the photo of Dan it looks like it ran well.

Here is a photo of the Tiger Spartan B.

Pretty basic but looks comfy.

Photo courtesy Running Warehouse Blog.

The above photos courtesy of Runningwarehouse.com blog. Tiger Spartan B from Runner's World Shoe Survey '77.


The following photo is our own Dan Shamiyeh wearing the Asics Spartan B.

New Balance 420

Todays shoe is the New Balance 420. This is a re launched version of the shoe that is available today. I believe the originals were released some time in the 70's. (Dan Maybe you can insert some history here).

Here is a brief history of New Balance via. wiki.



In 1906, William J. Riley, a 33 year old English immigrant, founded the New Balance Arch Support Company, which manufactured arch supports and other accessories designed to improve shoe fit, in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1934, Riley took on as a partner his top salesman, Arthur Hall, who had found his niche by marketing his products to people whose jobs required them to spend much time standing. In 1956, Hall sold the business to his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd.

Eleanor and Paul continued to sell mainly arch supports until 1961, when they designed and manufactured the "Trackster," the world's first running shoe made with a ripple sole. It was also the first running shoe to come in varying widths.

Marketing was mostly by word-of-mouth or local sports fairs, and sales languished, until 1972, when current Chairman Jim Davis bought the company on the day of the Boston Marathon. At the time, the company consisted of just six people making 30 pairs of shoes daily and selling products mostly through mail-order with a few U.S. retailers. Jim committed himself to uphold the company's traditional commitment to individual preferences, customer service, and quality products. His future wife Anne, who joined the company in 1978, focused on building a distinct culture for New Balance employees, and customers. Their timing was perfect, as the Boston area soon became a veritable hotbed of the running boom which struck the U.S. in the 1970s. Their product line expanded and sales skyrocketed. The homegrown company prospered, and the Davises looked to expand New Balance into a global company. The company is now run by California native Rob DeMartini. DeMartini's background includes Procter & Gamble and Gillette Shave Company. Today, 30% of the shoes sold in the European market are manufactured at the New Balance facility in England.

Air Jordan Friday's

Ummm...need I say more?


Air Jordan 1 released March 1985 for $64.99.
 

Jack Purcell Ian G

There are a few more warm days left and everyone should have a classic looking pair of sneaks. Here are a pair of Jack Purcell's made by converse. Just to let you know, I love velcro sneaks?!? I have no clue why but I think that they look sleak.


A little history on Jack Purcell. Which I had no clue, but maybe some of you guys did.

John Edward "Jack" Purcell (December 24, 1903 – June 10, 1991) was a Canadian world champion badminton player. Purcell was the Canadian National Badminton Champion in 1929 and 1930, and declared the world champion in 1933. He retired in 1945, and pursued a career as a stock broker. Purcell also designed an athletic shoe that bears his name, which is still popular today.

Purcell designed a canvas and rubber badminton sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada in 1935. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and support on badminton courts. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers - which it still produces and sells today. Converse "Jack Purcells" are still popular - but more for their vintage fashion appeal than for athletic use

A bit on the collectable JP's featured below. The founder and creative mind behind famous sneaker spots Kicks/HI in Hawaii and St Alfred's in Chicago designed these lovely Purcell's. The use of the super rich Epi leather gives away that this is not your ordinary Jack P. Its the Ian G. Jack P. Part of the Converse 1HUND(RED) Collection.

If you don't know what Epi leather is we can tell you that its a very fine leather often used by exclusive bag maker Louis Vuitton. Here's the lowdown on Epi leather according to the Louis Vuitton Resource Center: The Epi Leather is inspired by the grained leather used by Louis Vuitton in the 1920s. The process of making a perfect Epi takes a very precise and controlled procedure. First, the leather is tanned with plant extracts, then deep-dyed. Its uniqueness comes from the two tones obtained from a shine and a special coloring on the top of the grain. The Epi leather is water repellent so the Ian G Jack P's are safe and are perfect to use during the rainy days.

Basquiat

Reebok pays homage to a great artist. Jean-Michael Basquiat.


Basquiat first gained popularity in New York City as a graffiti artist in the early 80's and then later as a successful 1980s-era Neo-expressionist artist. He had firends with big names like Andy Warhol and habits that included some nasty drugs like heroine which eventually took his life. During his young days as a tag artist in NYC he and his buddy used the tag signature of SAMO which was short for same old sh*t.

Here he is in his setting.

Here are the shoes that pay tribute.

JLew....